Author : Brookes, Graham

Summary : This paper examines the farm level impact of use of Bt insect resistant maize in Spain and draws comparisons with reported impact of the same technology in the USA (the country in which the largest area of insect resistant maize has been planted to date). The research undertaken for this paper used a combination of desk research/analysis and field research in the Huesca region of Spain (an area where a significant proportion of the Bt maize is planted in Spain). Bt maize produces a protein that is toxic when ingested by certain lepidopteron insects (insects that go through a caterpillar stage). In particular, the main insect pest it is effective against is the European Corn Borer (ECB). The Bt technology is considered to be a novel approach to controlling these insect pests because the 'insecticide' it produces is throughout the plant and lasts over the life of a plant. As a a result it is much more effective than conventional or biological insecticides because it cannot be washed off or broken down by other environmental factors.